I think my cat just ate a whole Q-tip...

Luna, my 3 year old girl, occasionally fishes Q-tips out of the trash and chews on the cotton ends.  Normally this isn't a problem, but this evening, when I was folding laundry, I spotted her chewing on a white "arced" stick.  When I went to go get it from her, she high-tailed it out of the room and proceeded to sprint away to keep me from taking it from her.  Just as I grabbed a blanket to net her with, she stopped and made a big gulp.  Then looked up at me and mewed in glee.  She had swallowed the thing whole (which I didn't think possible).

I didn't get a good look at it, but I'm willing to guess it was a Q-tip (the paper kind).  My first concern was that it was a plastic twist-tie from a new heating blanket I had opened a while ago, but I found those twist-ties in the bag it came in.  I'm still not 100% positive it wasn't a twist-tie, but the possibility of it being a Q-tip is more likely.

My plan right now is to watch her for any signs of distress over the next few days and maybe break out a can of cat food over her normal dry to help her pass it, but as of right now she seems quite pleased with herself and currently in the process of grooming.  Does anyone else have any experience with their cat's eating Q-tips?  Or twist-ties?  I know that cats can eat parts of animals whole with bones and all and still pass everything alright.  I'm just worried about her.

Thanks in advance.

What is it with cats and Q-tips?  They just can not resist them!    There is a possibility Luna will pass the Q-tip on her own but it may also become stuck in her intestine, which becomes an emergency issue for the vet.  These are the symptoms to look for:  vomiting, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy and problems pooping or diarrhea.  If she develops any of these symptoms, you should take her to the vet right away.  Otherwise I would call the vet when (s)he's next open and ask if you should bring Luna in, just to be on the safe side.  

You can try helping her pass the Q-tip by adding some canned pumpkin to her food (not the pie filling) or by sprinkling a little metamucil (psyllium) on her food.  

Margd said:

 
What is it with cats and Q-tips?  They just can not resist them!    There is a possibility Luna will pass the Q-tip on her own but it may also become stuck in her intestine, which becomes an emergency issue for the vet.  These are the symptoms to look forr:  vomiting, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy and problems pooping or diarrhea.  If she develops any of these symptoms, you should take her to the vet right away.  Otherwise I would call the vet when (s)he's next open and ask if you should bring Luna in, just to be on the safe side.  

You can try helping her pass the Q-tip by adding some canned pumpkin to her food (not the pie filling) or by sprinkling a little metamucil (psyllium) on her food.  

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice.  I can certainly give my vet a call in the morning and I also have plans to give her some metamucil with the wet food.